Combustion generator



Nov. 5, 1929. A. s. WILLIAMS 1,734,933

COMBUSTI ON GENERATOR Filed. Oct. 14. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet l 3 I ATTORNEY Nov. 5, 1929. A. s. WILLIAMS COMBUSTION GENERATOR 4 Filed Oct. 14. 1322 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 5, 1929. A. s. WILLIAMS COMBUSTION GENERATOR Filed Oct. 14. 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVE1 V rozg. 1529210- uialermzams TTORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1929 UNITED STATES ARTHUR SEALER WILLIAMS, OF ITHAOA, NEW YORK COMBUSTION Application filed October 14,

This invention relates to the generation of power by fuel combustion and more particu larly to apparatus for effecting the combustion of fluid fuel as a source of heat power applicable for example to the operation of engines of various kinds, one object of the invention being to provide an apparatus of this character which is practical in construction, efficient in operation and applicable to a wide variety of uses.

' Another object is the provision of apparatus of this type capable of being ef fectively and conveniently controlled in relation to the requirements of the work to be done,as well as to the nature of the fuel supply.

Another object is to provide such an apparatus capable of operating efficiently and reliably in conjunction with either a constant or an intermittent character of consumption of its output, as for example, for driving either a turbine or a reciprocating type of engine, and capable also of operating in a self suificient manner requiring little auxil- 5 iary apparatus or power.

' A further object is to provide a practically constructed apparatus of this character designed with a view to equalizing pressure and heat stresses and strains and otherwise promoting durability, and also to the em ployment to a large extent of standard and comparatively inexpensive parts and fittings arranged to afford convenience in assembly and replacement. To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts all as will hereinafter be more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of apparatus embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged central elevational section through parts of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, broken away and somewhat displaced for convenience in illustration;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

GENERATOR 1922. Serial No. 594,671.

Figure fl: is an enlarged central longitudinal section through one of the mixing nozzles shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5 5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 in an enlarged sectional View on the line ()6 in Figure 1, showing the arrangement of piping for supplying the nozzles, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentaryview also showing an arrangement of piping for the nozzles.

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

The invention is disclosed in the present instance, by way of illustration, as embodied in apparatus particularly adapted for the combustion of crude oil to produce power for operating means such as engines of either the turbine or reciprocating type, but the invention is by no means limited in its useful applications to the present embodiment and is capable of various modifications in its details of construction and operation for the same or other uses.

Referring more particularly to the di awings for description in detail, there is shown in Figures 1 and 2 a plurality of elongated combustion chambers or tubes 10, in the present instance four in number arranged in multiple in parallel spaced relation within a water jacket indicated generally at 11 for cooling the tubes, controlling the combustion and other purposes as will more fully appear hereafter.

The combustion tubes l0,v preferably constructed of relatively thin walled tubing of steel or other suitable material, are curved between their ends through a substantial angle and in the present instance on an arc of substantially 180 degrees from the horizontal at one end in a vertical plane to the horizontal at the other end. The tube ends are fixed as hereafter described in head portions at the ends of the water jacket 11 which has substantially the same curved or arcuate shape, and this curved shape of tubes and jacket provides for free relative expansion and contraction under heat and pressure stresses, not only between the tubes themselves but also between the latter and the jacket and also between the ends of the in dividual tubes and of the jacket. In other words this arrangement provides a construction in which the ends of the tubes and of the jacket remain fixed or stationary relative to each other while the expansion and contraction produced by temperature or pressiuzc differences takes place in the spaced intermediate curved portions of the tubes and jacket.

The combustible mixture is preferably formed and ignited in a plurality of chambers formed as continuations of the tubes in an extension or combustion section 1.2 with one end of which the lower endsof the tubes are connected and with the other end of which the supp y nozzles communicate. The ignited mixture passes from the chambers in section 12 into the tubes 10 and the products are discharged through the upper ends of the tubes in o a d li ery main formed y a picrality of standard reducing pipe sections l3, l4; and 15, the latter of which is shown as connected with means 16 to be driven by the generator, as for example, a turbine or reciproca ng e g ne of the variety a present operated by steam. In addition to the sections 12, 13, 1d and 15 the water jacket 11 comprises a section 17 in the form of a standard pipe elbow bolted at its lower end to the section 12 and at its upper end to section 18 formed to provide a steam dome, as will more fully appear hereafter.

The means for securing the combustion tube ends and the jacket together is best shown in Figure 2 as comprising; a head por.-. tion or plate 19 interposed between the bolted flanges of delivery section 13 and jacket section 18. This plate has formed therein a plurality of threaded openings in which are engraged the threaded ends of bushings 20. The latter are internally threaded also at their ends adjacent plate 19 and receive the ex ternally threaded ends of the tubes. The external and internal threads of each bush, ing are both of the right or both of the left ha d va iety so that the bushing may be threaded into engagement simultaneously with both the plate and tube and the tube end is thus securely fixed in the plate 19.

It has been found that the discharge of the products of combustion from the combuse tion tubes at a relatively high velocity re... duces the effect upon the pressure and other conditions of combustion within the tube of variations in pressure beyond the point of discharge or in other words at the intake of the engine or other means being driven by vthe generator. Thus where a reciprocating:

type of engine is driven, the consumption of power is of an intermittent character resulting in pulsations of pressure at the delivery ends of the combustion chambers. The bushings 20 are therefore preferably formed with an internal bore reduced in diameter between its ends to provide a throat portion of substantially'less area than the tube forthe purpose of converting the pressure generated in the latter into a relatively high velocity at the point of discharge, the bushings or discharge nozzles being extended beyond plate 19 and into delivery section 13 for this purpose. The interpositi n in this incline]? of a stream portion of relatively high velocity at the discharge end of the combustion chamber as by means of the bushings, or nozzles 20 effectively reduces the transmission of such pressure pulsations to the combustion chamber and permits a continuous uniform and efficient combustion process.

The other or lower ends of the combustion tubes are each secured in the end of a corre sponding bore or chamber 21 forming in effect a continuation of a tube through the t jacketsection 12. This end of each tube is externally threaded for connection with an internally threaded bushing 22 which is also oXternally threaded and secured in a threaded enlargement in the end of the bore 21; The external and internal threads of the bushing 22 are right and left hand, respectively, so that they may be simultaneouslyturned home into threaded engagement with both the tube and acket. Both ends of each tube are thus effectively fixed or anchored by a practical and convenient form of construction in the respective head portions of the jacket. It is apparent from this construction that the come bustion tubes and sectional jacket may be easily assembled by first securing the lower tube ends in section 12 as described, then slipping sections 17 and 18 over the upper ends of the tubes and into place and securing the upper ends of the tubes in head plate 19 by screwing bushings 20 into lace, et sections 13, 141- and 15 may t.1us be easily assembled. a

The jacket extension section 12 is preferably a casting having externally and at its ends substantially the form of a standard pipe section and cored internally to provide the chambers 21, previously described, as well as a water space 23 adjacent the nozzle end and communicating through suitable bores or passageways 24 with section 17 and the remainder of the jacket, Section 12 thus has in effect a honeycombed central body portion 25 from an end of which project, through the water space 23 and toward the nozzles, a plurality of cone shaped extensions 26 for the V combustion chambers 21. The nozzles are threadedly connected with extensions 26 by means of nipples 27 fitted in openings in a flexible head or plate 28 bolted to the end flange of section 12. The construction of this nozzle attaching means is described in detail hereafter, it being understood that the combustible mixture is injected into the ends of chambers 21, passing through the latter and into the communicating combustion tubes 10.

Jack- The mixture is preferably ignited in section 12 by any suitable means, as for example, by means of spark plugs 29, one for each chamber 21 as shown. It is to be understood, however, that the mixture may be ignited by various other suitable means, such, for example, as a hot wire or tube, as well understood in the art, the apparatus in fact requiring no ignition means after it has once become thoroughly heated in operation. For the purpose of equalizing the temperature and pressure stresses, especially when only a part of the nozzles is in use, for insuring ignition. in all of the chambers, and of draining all of the latter, the body portion 25 of jacket section 12 has formed therein radially extending passages or ducts 25 of small diameter connecting the ignition chambers in line with the ignition means.

The nozzles for forming the combustible mixture each preferably comprises the nipple 27 described above having an externally threaded end within the jacket engaged in the end of the corresponding combustion chamber extension 26. The nipple is formed centrally with a flange 30 and with a threaded portion 31 passed freely through an opening in jacket end plate 28. A. flange 32 is engaged with the threaded end 31 of tie nipple for clamping the flange 30 of the latter against plate 28. Owing to the temperature and pressure stresses, plate 28 is of relatively thin material and corrugated circumferentially as shown to render it sufficiently 1. enible and yielding to accommodate the resulting strains, flange 32 being cut away as indicated at 33 to prevent interference with the yielding of the plate.

The outer nozzle tube or pipe 34 is secured in abutting and communicating relation with the outer end of nipple 27 so as to form a continuous pipe by means of a flange 35 threadedly engaged with the end of pipe 34 and attached by means of bolts 36 to the flange The bore of nipple 27 is preferably gradually reduced in diameter between its ends as 37 to form a nozzle throat. Pipe 34 communicates through a T connection 38 with a pipe line 39 leading to a source of compressed air or other gas for forming with the fuel a combustible mixture. The pipes 39 of the several nozzles are each provided with a regulating valve 40 for throttling or turning off the air and these pipes are preferably led from the nozzles as shown in Figure 6 and connected with a main air supply pipe 41.

The fuel is supplied to each nozzle through a. pipe 42 located concentrically in spaced relation within pipe 34 and having a gradually reduced end 43 extending adjacent the throat portion of nipple 27, fuel pipe 42 belllg' maintained in spaced relation concentrically of pipe 34 by means of lugs or vanes 44 between the two. This construction and arrangement are such, more fully disclosed hereafter, that the end 43 of the fuel pipe 42 cooperates adjustably with the throat portion of nipple 2? to form an atomizing nozzle for the fuel which is discharged centrally within an annular stream of air supplied through pipe 34.

Located concentrically in spaced relation within fuel pipe 42 of each nozzle is a hot water pipe 45 of uniform diameter substantin ly equal to that of the reduced end 43 of the fuel pipe, so tiat the latter is closed except for a plurality of internal, circumferentially spaced, relatively fine grooves or spray apertures 43 through which the fuel is Pipe is preferably continued well beyond the zzle throat into the ignition chamber 21 and being supplied with water of substantially boiling temperature by means hereafter descr'bed, serves to heat the fuel and air in the nozzle and thus facilitates combustion so that practically any crude or heavy oil may be used as a fuel. The nozzle is of substantial length for effecting this heating process. Water pipe 45 preferably terminates well beyond the nozzle throat and supplies water ure for improving and controlling como .stion.

For the purpose of varying the relative proportions of fuel and air, as may be re quired by varyingconditions of work or of kinds of fuel, the nozzle throat of nipple 27 and the cooperating end of fuel pipe 42 are made relatively adjustable, preferably by providing for a sliding movement of pipe 42 in pipe 34. This is accomplished by constructing pipe 34 with a separate section 47 one end of which and the adjacent end of the main section of pipe 34 are externally threaded with right and left hand threads and connected by a similarly threaded sleeve 48 the rotation of which serves to move section 47 to and from the nozzle throat. Sec-- ti 1 47 has an end wall 49 embracing and suit ably attached, as by means of solder 50, to the XlGllOI of fuel pipe 42, so that the latter is also adjusted toward and from the nozzle threat for varying the annular air passage at the latter, the fuel passage remaining content in volume. It is preferable to secure the outer end of the fuel pipe 42 to the water pipe 45 as by means of soldering or otherwise 51 so that the fuel and water pipes are adjusted as a unit. The fuel pipes of the several nozzles are all provided with valves and connected with the main fuel supply pipe 52, Figure 'Z, in the manner shown in connection with the air pipes in Figure 6, so that the fuel also may be reduced or cut off from any one of the nozzles.

The hot water pipes from the several nozzles are similarly provided with individual valves 53, Figure and con" acted with a main pipe 54 communicating with th water jacket 11 as at well below the water level in the latter. The jacket water which cools the combustion tubes and becomes in turn well heated by the latter is thus economically utilized also for heating the fuel and air on its way through the nozzles and for controlling and improving tl'ie combustible mixture.

Section 18 of the water jacket, as stated above, is provided with means comprising a dome 56 forming a stearspace in which pressure is generated by the boiling of the water by the heat given on by the combustion tubes. The upper end of heating dome carries a fitting 57 having several branches one of which is provided w h a safety valve 58 for relieving excess pressure. Another branch of the fitting has connected therewith a pipe 59 for supplying steam to an injector 60 or pump or other device for forcing water from a suitable source of supply into the space 2-3 of the jacket extension section 12 for replenishing the water supplied'from the jacket to the nozzle. The relatively cold v-rater supply is thus economically introduced adjacent the hottest portion of the combustion spaces and jacket. A water glass 61 on the jacket serves to indicate the level of the water which may be maintained by hand control of the injector or pump or by suitable automatic control means as well understood in the art.

When the apparatus is first being started in a cold condition and before steam pressure is generated in dome 56, the latter may be placed under air pressure by a connection 62 with a suit-able source of pressure, a check valve 63 being preferably provided to prevent the transmission of pressure in a reverse direction. In starting also it is desirable to employ a highly combustible fuel, such as gasoline which may be supplied temporarily in place of the heavy operating fuel through a pipe 64, Figure 7, communicating with the main fuel supply connection 52 which latter and the auxiliary fuel pipe 64; may be alternately controlled by suitable valves as shown.

In operation with a suitable supply of compressed air for combustion in the nozzles, for forcing the fuel through the latter and for initially applying pressure within the water jacket for supplying water also to the nozzles,

a highly combustible fuel, such as gasoline is supplied to one or more of the nozzles with a corresponding supply of air and water to form an eflicient mixture. The apparatus is operated in this manner until the heat of combustion produces a suitable operating temperature in the water in the ackct so that the latter will heat the heavier operating oil and air sufficiently to burn the oil. With such operating temperature also steam pressure is produced in the steam'dome of the jacket, for forcing the water to the nozzles, so that the air connection to the steam dome ca then be turned off. lVhen this operating temperature has been reached the regular operating fuel such as crude oil is supplied to the nozzles instead of gasoline and the nozzles are regulated to produce the most efficient mixture for combustion. The adjustment of the various valves controlling the supply of air and water to each nozzle, as well as of the air passage within the nozzle, permits of the accurate adjustment of the'mixture to its most efiicient composition for combustion. One or all of the nozzles may be placed in operation to regulate the amount'of power supplied and the provision of multiple nozzles together with the means for accurately adjusting the mixture renders the apparatus highly adaptable or flexible in operation in accordance with the power demand and the nature of the fuel or other operating conditions, with practically constant efficiency under all circumstances. The nozzle con struction providing the supply of air in an outer annular film and of fuel and water centrally of such film insures eilicient mixture and combustion, while the supply of water at a high temperature through the center of the nozzle and of the fuel pipe enables the use of the heaviest liquid fuels after the generator is once started. The various adjustments described also provide for the regulaticn and control of the apparatus in operation within close limits.

The provision of discharge nozzles for the combustion chambers by means of which the products of combustion are delivered at a high velocity insures uniform operation of the apparatus substantially independent of variations in the rate of consumption of power, as, for example, when the generator is employed for driving a reciprocating type engine.

The apparatus is comparatively simple in construction consisting largely of standard pipe sections and fittings, and is self reliant in operation, requiring but little auxiliary apparatus or power except, for example, the injector 60 and the compressed air for feeding the nozzles and replenishing the water in the jacket.

I claim as my invention:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of combustion chambers arranged in multiple, a common water jacket enclosing said plurality of chambers to afford maximum radiation and strength with minimum size of parts, means securing the jacket ends to the corresponding chamber ends, said chambers and jacket being curved between the ends thereof to provide for expansion and contraction between the intermediate portions thereof. nozzle means for each chamber for injecting thereinto a continuous supply of a combustible mixture, ignition means for said mixture and a common means for delivering the products of combustion to means to be operated thereby.

2. In apparatus of the character described,

the combination of a combustion tube curved between its ends through a substantial angle, a correspondingly curved water jacket enclosing said tube and having at one end a cast metal extension cored to provide water spaces and a bore communicating with one end of said tube, a threaded bushing securing said tube end in said bore, a flexible plate closing the outer end of said extension, means comprising a nozzle passing through and secured to said plate and secured also in the outer end of said bore, means for igniting the mixture in said tube, a head portion at the other end of said jacket and a threaded bushing securing the other end of said tube thereto.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of combustion chamber, a Water jacket enclosing the same having at one end a head comprising a flexible metal plate provided with an opening therethrough, a nipple having a contracted throat in its bore secured in said plate opening with its end in said jacket connected with said chamber, a conductor for air attached to and communicating with the outer end of said nipple, a second conductor for fluid iuel within and spaced from the first and terminating adjacent said nipple throat to form an atomizing nozzle, and means for adjusting said second conductor and nipple throat relative to each other to vary the proportions of air and fuel supplied.

4. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a combustion chamber, a Water jacket enclosing the same having at one end a head comprising a flexible metal plate provided with an opening therethrough, a nipple fitted in said opening with one end projecting inwardly of the jacket and connected with said chamber and the other end threaded. and projecting outwardly of the jacket, a conductor for air having a threaded end in abutting relation with said outer nipple end, flanges threadedly secured on said abutting nipple and conductor ends and provided with means for bolting the same together, a second conductor for fluid fuel within and sp ced from the first and forming with the latter and said nipple a nozzle for projecting a combustible mixture into said chamber.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a combustion chamber, a water jacket enclosing the same having at one end a head comprising a flexible metal plate provided with an opening therethrough, a nipple fitted in said opening with one end projecting inwardly of the jacket and connected with said chamber and the other end projecting outwardly of the jacket, a conductor for gas connected with the outer nipple end, a second conductor for fluid fuel in spaced relation Within the first for discharging and atomizing fuel in the annular gas stream supplied by said first conductor', and a third conductor in spaced relation within the sec ond for discharging heated water into the mixture of gas and fuel.

6. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tubular combustion chamber curved longitudinally to form a return bend to adapt the ends of said chamber for attachment to fixed supports and provide for free expansion and contraction of its intermediate portion, Venturi nozzle means for supplying air, fuel and moisture at one end of said chamber comprising concentric annular passageways, ignition means in said chamber and a discharge nozzle adjacent the opposite end of said chamber provided With a restricted throat for discharging the products of combustion at a relatively high velocity.

7 In apparatus of the character described, the combination of an elongated combustion chamber and Water acket therefor curved to form a return bend, heads adjacent the ends of said jacket to which said combustion chamber ends are secured to provide for expansion and contraction of the intermediate portion of said chamber, Venturi nozzle means adj acent one end of said chamber comprising concentric annular passageways for air and fuel and means for adjusting the area of one of said passageways relative to another, said nozzle having an additional passageway and means connecting said additional passageway and jacket for supplying moisture to said passageway from said jacket, ignition means in said chamber beyond said nozzle and discharge nozzle means :tor said chamber having a restricted throat for discharging the products of combustion at a relatively high velocity.

8. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a tubular combustion chamber curved to provide a return bend, a water jacket enclosing said chamber and secured to the ends of the latter to provide for free expansion and contraction of its intermediate portion, high velocity nozzle supply means adj acent one end of said chamber provided'with concentric annular passageways for air and fuel, an additional passageway extending through said nozzle arranged to preheat said fuel therein, a con nection with said jacket for supplying heated fluid to said additional passageway, ignition means in said chamber, and a high velocity discharge nozzle adjacent the other end of said chamber.

9. In apparatus 01: the character described, the combination of a tubular combustion chamber curved to provide a return bend, extending in an upward direction a water jacket enclosing said chamber and secured to th ends of the latter to provide for expansion and contraction of its intermediate portion, high velocity nozzle supply means at the lower end of said chamber comprising a plurality of concentric annular passageways, ignition means in said chamber, a high velocity discharge nozzle at the uppenend of said chamber, andmeans for supplying water to the lower end of said jacket adjacent the hottest portion of said chamber.

10. In apparatus of the character described, a combustion chamber curved to provide an upwardly extending return bend, a water jacket therefor connected to the endsoi said chamber and including a cast metal extension at thelower end of said jacket having a bore therein connected with and forming an extension of said combustion chamber, a flexible plate closing the end of said jacket extension, a high velocity nozzle connected with said bore and passingthrough and secured to said plate and comprising a plurality of concentric annular passageways, ignition means in said bore and means for supplying Water adjacent the lower end oisaid jacket.

11. In apparatus of the .character described, the combination of a cast metal body termed with a plurality of bores provid ing combustion chambersand cored to provide cooling water spaces about said chambers, ignition means in each chamber, said chambers having passageways therebetween to equalize ignition and temperature and pressure stresses, and a nozzle foreach chamher for supplying a combustible mixture thereto.

12. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of combustion chambers, high velocity nozzle meansv for supplying combustible materials to each of said chambers, ignition means in each chamber, saidchambers being provided with connecting passageways from one to another adjacent said ignition means to equalize ignition and temperature and pressure stresses and a high velocity discharge nozzle for each of said chambers.

13. In apparatus of the character described, the combination. or a plurality of tubular combustion chambers, a high velocity nozzle for supplying materials for combustion. to each of said chambers, ignition means in each chamber, said chambers having passageways connecting 'one with another adjacent said ignition means, a high velocity discharge nozzle for each chamber, a common discharge main connected withall of said discharge nozzles and a water jacket enclosing all of said chambers.

14. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of tubular combustion chambers, a water jacket enclosing said chambers, said chambers and jacketbeing curved to form a return bend and connected together at the ends of said chambers to provide forexpansion and contraction of the intermediate portions of the latter, nozzle means for injecting a com-v bustible mixture into each chamber, ignition means in each chamber, a high velocity dis charge nozzle for each chamber and com-. mon means for delivering the products of combustion from said discharge nozzle to means to be operated thereby.

15. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality o1- combustion chambers, a cooling water jacket enclosing said chambers, an atomizing nozzle for each chamber for supplying a.mix-. ture of air and liquid fuel thereto, ignition means for each chamber, means afiording relatively small passageways between said chambers to equalize ignition and temperature and pressure stresses therein, valved. means for supplying air and fuel to each nozzle, controlling means for said nozzles for adjusting the proportions of air and fuel supplied, and a common discharge main for said chambers.

ARTHUR SHALER WILLIAMS; 

